The Getty kouros

A geologist, Stanley Margolis, studied the source of the marble and the surface finish. Margolis was given permission to remove small samples of the marble by drilling is less visible places. Samples were examined with SEM, electron microprobe. X-ray diffraction. X-ray fluorescence, and mass spectrometry. 

Marble is a metamorphic rock, created from limestone or dolomite by high temperature and pressure in the earth s crust. X-ray diffraction revealed that the kouros marble was almost pure dolomite, more durable and resistant to weathering than calcite marbles. This type of marble should preserve better than others. Marble is a carbonate mineral, composed of substantial amounts of both carbon and oxygen. The analysis of carbon and oxygen isotopes in such minerals can provide information on both their geographic origin and the nature of surface changes in the object 

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Bianchi, Robert. 1994. Saga of The Getty Kouros. Archaeology 47 3.22-24. 

The geologists also took a careful look at the surface of the kouros. Patina refers to the distinctive changes that take place on the surface of many types of stone exposed to weathering and the elements for long periods of time. The Getty kouros has a tan/red patina on much of the surface and on the old breaks in the status as well. An optical microscope revealed that this patina was composed of iron oxide and soil and clay minerals. Both electron microprobe and X-ray diffraction determined that this patina was a continuous layer of calcite 10-15 pm in thickness. 

The story of the Getty kouros is a classic example of an archeometry in action,... 

In 1983 the sculpture Getty Kouros was offered to the J. Paul Getty museum in Malibu, California. To this day, the sculpture s authenticity remains uncertain. Research the methods that have been used to establish the authenticity of the statue. Suggest other methods of analysis that might be used to find out if the Kouros is a 530 B.C. sculpture or a modern forgery. 

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